111 With some pride I hereby introduce the 10 volume in the Studies of
Writing book series. This volume aims to be a tool-book for writing
research. In my opinion, the editors and authors of this volume
succeeded in this endeavor. Four guiding questions are answered in all
chapters on online-techniques. How to ... The key to such a book is
providing insight in the decisions researchers make when developing
'tools and techniques'; such information is not found in jour- nal
articles and in the best case hidden in technical reports. This book
provides read- ers with detailed information about the ins and outs of
various online techniques. When to ... Another contribution of this
tool-book is to provide insight into when the 'tool' can be used, in
other words, to relate the tool or technique to the theoretical claims
about the writing process or cognitive processes underlying writing
processes. Theory, methodology, tools and techniques, handling data and
interpretation form a coherent unit. When not to ... There is no cow
without a spot' (Dutch: er is geen koe zonder vlekje) is the literal
translation of a Dutch expression. Techniques/tools have their
limitations, and their problems: in applying them, and/or handling or
interpreting the data they produce. In a book like this, researchers
took the opportunity to provide readers with a look behind the curtains,
in the process of research. Scientific, critical reflection is one of
the strong features of this book.